Naples soccer standout Niko Pierre signs with Rhode Island FC

NAPLES, Fla. - Naples native and soccer standout Niko Pierre is officially a professional.

The 18-year-old forward has signed his first professional contract with Rhode Island FC of the USL Championship, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States.

Rhode Island announced Pierre’s multi-year deal Sept. 16. He joins the club after developing with the Orlando City SC Academy.

“It was amazing. I mean, that's every kid's dream to start their professional career,” Pierre said. “It was my first big step. I was extremely excited. I think I worked hard for it, so it wasn't so unexpected, but I was definitely excited.”

Pierre grew up playing soccer in Naples before eventually joining Orlando City’s academy system, where he regularly trained in a professional environment.

“I would train with the second team and the first team all the time,” Pierre said. “Maybe I'm a bit more prepared than a lot of other kids would be.”

Pierre’s profile also grew through his play with Haiti’s youth national teams. He has represented the country at the U-17 and U-20 levels, including this summer at the Concacaf U-20 Championship in Mexico.

WINK News spoke with Pierre during that run, when Haiti came within a win of qualifying for the U-20 World Cup.

Pierre said his international play helped attract interest from multiple professional clubs.

“Because of my international presence that I've had with Haiti, I've had a couple looks at different teams,” Pierre said.

He ultimately landed with Rhode Island, but said the foundation for his career was built back home in Southwest Florida.

“Growing up in Naples definitely put me in an environment where there's soccer all around,” Pierre said. “Miami's right next door, Tampa, Orlando. So there was soccer all around and playing against high-level teams, I think definitely helped to make me the player I am today.”

Pierre has not yet made his professional debut but said he hopes to get that opportunity in the coming weeks. His next major goal is making his debut with Haiti’s senior national team.

For Pierre, signing his first professional contract marks the realization of a goal years in the making.

“I think 10-year-old, 12-year-old Niko would definitely be really proud right now.”